
Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 67 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory worth booking?
Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory is a 3-hour experience in New York, United States, from $190 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 67 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (67)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $190 per person
Take a 1.5-hour walking tour of Ground Zero and the National September 11 Memorial, and gain insight into the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. A local guide shares firsthand stories of the event and its aftermath while you visit 9/11-related sites such as St Paul’s Chapel, the Fireman’s Memorial and the reflecting pools, an homage to the thousands of lives lost. You may also upgrade your tour to include a pre-reserved ticket to the One World Observatory.
What you get
About this experience
Take a 1.5-hour walking tour of Ground Zero and the National September 11 Memorial, and gain insight into the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. A local guide shares firsthand stories of the event and its aftermath while you visit 9/11-related sites such as St Paul’s Chapel, the Fireman’s Memorial and the reflecting pools, an homage to the thousands of lives lost. You may also upgrade your tour to include a pre-reserved ticket to the One World Observatory.
What's included
Included
- Private Guide with personal connection to 9/11
- Narrated walking tour
- One World Observatory Admission (if option selected)
Not included
- Gratuities
- 9/11 Museum Entry (upgradable on site)
What you'll see and do
St. Paul's Chapel
We will start the tour at St. Paul's Chapel, New York City’s oldest public building still in continuous use.
15 minutes here
The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
The guide will take you to the 9/11 Memorial and discuss the events of that day. This tour does not include entrance into the 9/11 Museum.
45 minutes here
One World Observatory
End your tour at the One World Observatory. The tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Admission is included if option selected.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New York
We meet inside the Oculus, a mall and transportation hub at Ground Zero. Go to Level C2. Your guide will be wearing an orange hat and standing by the L'Arte del Gelato stand.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Tour will end at One World Observatory. You will enter the observatory on your own after the tour. Tickets are only included if that option is selected.
Options you can book
Private 9/11 Ground Zero Tour
Private Tour No Observatory: Private 9/11 Ground Zero Walking Tour (tour only - without observatory entry)
Private Tour with Observatory
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- ExperienceFirst
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A moderate amount of walking is involved. Please wear comfortable shoes
- Please dress appropriately and bring layers in case of cold weather
- One World Observatory admission is NOT included unless option is selected at time of booking
- Children 5 and under free with paid adult ticket
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 67 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
67 verified traveler reviews for Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great trip w Liz . Private is the way to go
Liz was amazing charming knowledgeable and spunky fun and took great pics of us ! Highly recommend .. 2 hours touring and 1 hour is plenty at observation tower unless you wanna eat or get a cocktail ! I recommend video the ride up elevator .. it’s a hx of the growth and change of skyline of Manhattan and Brooklyn over the years ..
via Tripadvisor
Must do in NYC
Excellent. The guide Bill Q was very, really helpful. Lots of stories, many of the first hand knowledge of his own experiences during the day of 9/11/2001.
via Tripadvisor
Outside Ground Tour with Sean
Sean our tour guy was really good. He answered a lot of my question from that tragic day 9/11 & explained a lot to our group.,
via Tripadvisor
911 Memorial
Wonderful experience. Jaclyn was an amazing tour guide. Loved her passion for her job.
via Tripadvisor
Really recommend the Walking tour
Really enjoyed the walking tour.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $190 to $410
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 23
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by ExperienceFirst, who run 35 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 70.9 and 5 in the 90+ Club.
See everything ExperienceFirst runsWhy this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory cost?
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Prices start at $190 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.
Is Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 67 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory?
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Around 23 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New York?
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New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Walking Tour in New York. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New York?
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September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New York?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory?
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Included: Private Guide with personal connection to 9/11; Narrated walking tour; and One World Observatory Admission (if option selected). Not included: Gratuities; and 9/11 Museum Entry (upgradable on site). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory?
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We meet inside the Oculus, a mall and transportation hub at Ground Zero. Go to Level C2. Your guide will be wearing an orange hat and standing by the L'Arte del Gelato stand. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in New York. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory?
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Across 67 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
What booking options are available for Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional One World Observatory?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Private 9/11 Ground Zero Tour, Private Tour with Observatory. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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